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Winner Profiles | The Best In Islamic Finance | 2016
Global Finance magazine profiles the best Islamic Financial Institutions of 2016
Middle East
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Banking
Japanese Banks Jump Into The Market
Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ is learning to speak Arabic.
Capital Raising & Corporate Finance
Kingdom’s Economy Sputters, Austerity Plan Unveiled
Low oil prices are taking a heavy toll on Saudi Arabia’s economy, which is facing even greater austerity under deputy crown prince Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud’s plans to raise $100 billion a year from subsidy cuts and new levies.
Economics, Policy & Regulation
Lifting The Veil On Iranian Banks
We present a rare tour of the newly opened Iranian banking sector. Westerners will be surprised by what they find—in both philosophy and performance—in this long-hidden area of the banking world.
Banking
Intent On A Global Footprint: Ali Ahmed Al-Kuwari, Qatar National Bank
By any measure QNB has major ambitions. It is the largest bank in Qatar and one of the leading financial institutions in the Middle East and Africa. It does not stop there. QNB has set its sights on becoming a global bank by 2030. QNB’s group chief executive discusses with Global Finance the regional downturn, success in Africa and its plans for a global presence.
Banking
A High-Stakes Poker Game
The Middle East is no stranger to political and economic uncertainty, but simmering religious and political tensions and stubbornly low oil prices have dealt the region a difficult hand. The question now is: How will countries play in order to win?
News
Adversity Brings Creativity
The Middle East is characterized by high youth unemployment and political and economic uncertainty, but new business and technology start-ups and young entrepreneurs are providing hope for future generations.
News
Best-Performing Companies In The Middle East
There are big changes at the top of the rankings this year, and there is greater geographical diversity in the list. Companies in the region are dealing with a number of serious headwinds and broader economic and market changes, which are starting to take their toll.
News
Branching Out: Adel El-Labban, Ahli United Bank
Despite tightening liquidity in the Gulf banking sector, Bahrain’s largest lender reported robust profits in 2015. After leading a slew of product launches, AUB’s group CEO and managing director believes the bank’s prudent risk management will underpin its expansion. He spoke to Global Finance at the bank’s headquarters in Bahrain.
Banking
Sovereign Wealth Funds: The Ultimate Guessing Game
Changing fortunes in the region’s oil-rich economies have made the secretive world of sovereign wealth fund asset allocation even more opaque.
Features
Saudi Arabia Dominates Project Finance
Project financing is booming in Saudi Arabia, which leads the Middle East in deals, with a total of eight in 2015, worth more than $13 billion.